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Bertha, daughter of Richard Knight Brace and Olivia Schurman, is in the PEI Baptismal Record as Bertha Bread; however, on her death certificate her name is given as Bertha Breadwood Brace, and from her baptismal record it seems clear that the minister used abbreviations, like Geo, Chas, Richrd, Wm, etc, quite frequently. Breadwood, or Braidwood, was a family name. Bertha joined the Salvation Army as a young woman, and had moved to Sarnia in the Spring of 1909. Her sister Daisy, who had been working as a secretary in Boston, was visiting in July 1909. They had planned to celebrate their August birthdays together. They were on an outing to a spot beside the St. Clair River, and had gone in for a swim. Daisy was an excellent swimmer, but Bertha did not swim at all. While wading, she slipped into a deep channel, and in spite of Daisy's best efforts to save her they were both swept downstream. It took awhile for their friends on the shore to realize that they were in danger, and rescue attempts by workers in a nearby chain factory failed. "Not realizing their danger, went to death laughing" was the rather sensational headline in the Detroit Free Press. Daisy's body was found a week later and Bertha's soon after that. They were identified by their father who had arrived from Charlottetown the day before. A double funeral was held for the two sisters.

Summerside Journal, 1909:Two Island girls, Bertha and Daisy Brace, daughters of R. K. Brace of Charlottetown, were drowned in the St. Clair River, just below Sarnia, Ont., last week. Miss Bertha Brace arrived in Sarnia this spring. Her sister came from Boston two weeks ago. (from PEI Ancestry)

See also SISTERS DROWNED WHILE BATHINGBertha and Daisy Brace Caught by Swift Current in River at Sarnia.Detroit Free Press (1858-1922) - Detroit, Mich.Author: Special to The Free PressDate: Jul 17, 1909Start Page: 1Pages: 1Text Word Count: 286